MiamiSun76

hmmmm........... Sep 9 2005, 02:17 PM "While I was at DCA, the thought crossed my mind: given his success creating and maintaining the Renegade hype machine, what about Lee Rudnicki moving to Vanguard? Or is that another situation where his day job is much too successful to allow the DCI time commitment?" -------------------- Wayne Ford

So by that logic, he was responsible for getting 1st in 99? You were very perceptive for your 11/12 year old era.

I know Finleyville played matched and I believe their only year in finals was 1975. I was questioning where that put them time-wise in relationship to SCV and 27th re: matched.

I agree on both your points. I have to admit a natural bias toward matched having spent most of my playing years on various configurations of tenors (starting on singles with slings). As to SCV, I just hope it's a well-thought out change and not a purge. I don't think abandoning matched after one year of quality results was essential. In fact, matched was identified with SCV more than others and could have been a continuity statement.

Well, we know the late Fred Sanford wasn't against it since he moved back and forth over the years. Was it SCV or Finleyville under Mike Kumer who did it first in DCI? I enjoyed it this year and it was a solid line. Interesting that Denise is a guard person and the 1st surprise selection is from WGI. I hope we're not starting to see another dark age.

Either way, what SW accomplished with such young membership and relative lack of predisposed talent is something to admire. Certainly, what they accomplished in their 16th place finish is as (or more) admirable than the placement of certain more talent-packed corps who placed above them. If Troopers can find out how SW made it work (and I personally think they made it work with a very creative, well-thought-out design both musically and visually that incorporated key themes implemented steadily throughout the program), I think they will be going places fast. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry to say it, but I disagree heartily on the SW "design". I believe the show, right down to the uniforms and "sharko" were lifted from some Southwestern band show(s). There was little design to it. It was a copy and paste job that, as a booster of that program for the past 3 years, embarrassed me considerably. But to give credit where it's due, the management team and the BoD pulled rabbits out of hats to finalize the King/Ludwig deal which helped the sound considerably. Also, they managed a fairly trauma-free tour, which they haven't had since I've known them. Those were the keys to 16th place. With a drum corps show, who knows where they could have gone?

Did you know a 60's baritone named Jay Leader? He went to U of M and "marched" with us (Vanguards) in the winter/spring then went back North. Been looking for him for 40 years. He was originally with the York White Roses.

I've always wondered how corps all come out with the same size snare/tenor line each year. It's 10 one year, 7 the next.

I'm not questioning the need for new horns, but the choice of G when the handwriting was on the wall for Bb/F.

I can't wait to see you folks (it'll be right after my spelling lesson from that last post). BTW, If you get a chance, check out what Reilly (Larry Kerchner) did with/to your "McNamara's Band". I hope you do the "original" original.

The real question is "how fiscally sound was it to buy a new set of G two years ago?"

While that was a bit harsh, I don't see why you're making such an issue. You may not have noticed, but there are 16 year-olds in "Senior" corps and 22 year-olds in "Junior" corps. I've marched with both the Reilly Raiders and Archer-Epler Musketeers alumni corps, although I wasn't a marching member of either. You've got to consider that some of the original corps haven't been on the field for decades. Reilly hadn't been on the field since 1966, and except for a brief redeux in the '80s neither had Archie. Assuming that the youngest member was 18 (still illegal in DCA at the time) the youngest member would have been 57 this year. The statistics aren't much different for the Royal Airs. If the corps' main goal is to live again, it has to be open to the children, grandchildren and other members of the originals. The corps owns the name and the identity and to re-open the ranks is their choice. "Alumni" is more of a general characterization than a literal title. Besides, most alumni corps play re-arranged favorites or completely new music. I know the question in both corps that I was involved with wasn't "which old chart do we play", it was "what would the best of this corps have played in 2005?" Paul - you're forrunate that there are a new crop of alums wearing green feathers every year. Some corps haven't had that luxury. BTW, Hawthorne tried the "true alumni" idea for a few seasons and dropped it. I forgot. My late father marched with Reilly from their inception until the mid 50's.

Maybe it would work better for the Renegades as the "Swines of Nome"

I thought that was what the schoolgirls in Cadets show were all about.

3 small ensembles. One playing Holsinger, one Nelson, and the other Whiteacre. Then the massive body of the corps stomps them all while playing Die Walkurie ....... oh, that was my dream at DCI, never mind, medication time.

But then she'd just be another naked woman on a bicycle. Everybody's got one of them.

Did I get YYZ mixed up with YUL?

OK Doc, ya got your Evil: "Siegfried's Death & Funeral March" and your Good: "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" with hints of "Kill the Wabbit".

Are you trying to book a flight to Montreal?

Kinda like Hawthorne "playing out" Spanish music?

Not bad!

I look at it a bit differently. DCI should either sponsor the tour or the championship, but not both. Same for DCA. We've got to segregate the "dependability" factor from the championship. Renegades and MBI have forced this issue in DCA, and its not far-fetched to see Crest, Academy, and Esperanza doing likewise in the near future.

It's a case of good news and good news. I agree he's about the best writing talent around and I'm glad he'll be back as brass arranger. The other good news is that he was NOT announced as show coordinator. I don't know why but some of the best writers, in every caption, have made some questionable decisions in programming. Hopefully, we'll see the same good news/good news from Hawthorne.

1978 was a very competitive year. Phantom had a solid program all season, but SCV peaked at just the right time. You can add Spirit and 27th to the mix as well. No controversy, just a great year to be in the stands.

I don't see how a show that wins (with a 99.15) or comes in second can be controversial. I'd say that shows/concepts that defied the rules or political norms were both courageous and controversial. My list would include: 1969 BAC & Sunrisers - 1st use of keyboards in competition (illegal in AL & VFW) 1969 Sunrisers - 1st female guard in senior corps (illegal in the AL, not liked by DCA) 1969 Des Plaines Vanguard - "Hair" - VFW, Vietnam - you get the point. 1970 Garfield - Peace sign, "White Rabbit" - see above 1971 Garfield - Revolutionary War - 1st total-concept show (sorry Cavaliers) 1972 Des Plaines Vanguard and Garfield - "War & Peace" - edge to DPV for falling down at the end of "Mars" (this would have been higher but DCI was much more accepting than the VFW would have been) 1977, 1978 Bridgemen 1977 Sunrisers - for daring to win DCA (it started a riot, for God's sake)